Wherever President Obama goes, crowds are eager to reach out and touch him. He's become a handshaking pro who takes precautions — like slyly slipping off his wedding band before extending his hand to an excited group of strangers.

YURI GRIPAS / Reuters

A closer look at the ring President Barack Obama protects.

When the president greeted those gathered at an airport in Greensboro, North Carolina, Tuesday, cameras caught him taking off his gold ring and putting it in his pocket just seconds before the handshakes began.